Tackling bioterrorism one protein at a time. (EH Update).

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have begun studying Yersinia pestis, commonly known as the plague, and its complement of proteins in an effort to develop ways of treating and protecting against bioterrorism agents. Because biological pathogens grow and spread inside the human body on a molecular level, the researchers believe the key to protecting against bioterrorism may rest in an understanding of how the pathogens function one protein at a time.

Using special mass spectrometers, the scientists are studying the proteins that are present when Y. pestis is exposed to the body temperature of a flea (77[degrees]F) and of a human (98.6[degrees]F). Fleas, common hosts for Y. pestis, are the major source of human infection.

Understanding which of the pathogen's various proteins are present under different host and physiological conditions may provide insight into which proteins perform functions related to virulence and infection. A greater understanding of protein functions could lead to new methods of blocking infection.

The novel mass spectrometers housed in the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy scientific user facility at PNNL, enable more comprehensive and rapid protein studies than other techniques.

PNNL's research complements Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's ongoing genomic studies of the plague. Funding comes from the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Photo shown: PNNL scientists are studying the proteins in Yersinia pestis, the pathogen commonly known as the plague, using a special approach to mass spectrometry.